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Lacking an effective strategy to simultaneously address the challenges of quantum efficiency, luminescence intensity and thermal stability has become the key bottleneck for further development and large-scale application of solid-state lighting technology. Herein, inspired by the defect-engineering used in photoelectrocatalytic and photovoltaic materials, we acted in a diametrically opposite way and unprecedentedly proposed an anti-defect engineering strategy to develop high-efficiency phosphors. By constructing a rigid structure and introducing alkali metals to remove cation vacancy defects, similar to building blocks and jigsaw puzzle, we developed three groups of whitlockite phosphors, namely Ca3-xSrx(PO4)2:Ce3+, Ca3(PO4)2:Ce3+,M and (Ca0.5Sr0.5)3(PO4)2:Ce3+,Na+,Mn2+, and synchronously realized the significant of photoluminescence intensity (2.46 times), thermal stability (87.92% at 150 ��C), cathodoluminescence intensity (3.34 times), quantum yield (from 38.90% to 99.07%). We characterized the defect concentration by positron annihilation lifetime spectrum, and calculated Debye temperature and simulated the occupation of M according to DFT theory to reveal the improvement mechanism. Some advanced applications were also explored in this work, including warm-white LEDs, plant growth lighting and information security. The anti-defect engineering proposed in this work may contribute to the further development of high-efficiency phosphors for the next-generation smart solid-state lighting technologies.

Chaetoglobosins belonging to cytochalasan alkaloids represent a large class of fungal secondary metabolites. To date, around 100 chaetoglobosins and their analogues have been isolated and identified over the years from a variety of fungi, mainly from the fungus Chaetomium globosum. Studies have found that chaetoglobosins possess a broad range of biological activities, including antitumor, antifungal, phytotoxic, fibrinolytic, antibacterial, nematicidal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-HIV activities. This review will comprehensively summarize the biological activities and mechanisms of action of nature-derived chaetoglobosins.

Plumbagin (PLB), a natural naphthoquinone constituent isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica L., exhibited anticancer activity against a variety of cancer cell lines including breast cancer, hepatoma, leukemia, melanoma, prostate cancer, brain tumor, tongue squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, kidney adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, lymphocyte carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and canine cancer. PLB played anticancer activity via many molecular mechanisms, such as targeting apoptosis, autophagy pathway, cell cycle arrest, antiangiogenesis pathway, anti-invasion, and antimetastasis pathway. Among these signaling pathways, the key regulatory genes regulated by PLB were NF-kβ, STAT3, and AKT. PLB also acted as a potent inducer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressor of cellular glutathione, and novel proteasome inhibitor, causing DNA double-strand break by oxidative DNA base damage. This review comprehensively summarizes the anticancer activity and mechanism of PLB.

Partial expansion was observed in stratified subsidence during foundation pit dewatering. However, the phenomenon was suspected to be an error because the compression of layers is known to occur when subsidence occurs. A slice of the subsidence cone induced by drawdown was selected as the prototype. Model tests were performed to investigate the phenomenon. The underlying confined aquifer was generated as a movable rigid plate with a hinge at one end. The overlying layers were simulated with remolded materials collected from a construction site. Model tests performed under the conceptual model indicated that partial expansion occurred in stratified settlements under coordination deformation and consolidation conditions. During foundation pit dewatering, rapid drawdown resulted in rapid subsidence in the dewatered confined aquifer. The rapidly subsiding confined aquifer top was the bottom deformation boundary of the overlying layers. Non-coordination deformation was observed at the top and bottom of the subsiding overlying layers. The subsidence of overlying layers was larger at the bottom than at the top. The layers expanded and became thicker. The phenomenon was verified using numerical simulation method based on finite difference method. Compared with numerical simulation results, the boundary effect of the physical tests was obvious in the observation point close to the movable endpoint. The tensile stress of the overlying soil layers induced by the underlying settlement of dewatered confined aquifer contributed to the expansion phenomenon. The partial expansion of overlying soil layers was defined as inversed rebound. The inversed rebound was induced by inversed coordination deformation. Compression was induced by the consolidation in the overlying soil layers because of drainage. Partial expansion occurred when the expansion exceeded the compression. Considering the inversed rebound, traditional layer-wise summation method for calculating subsidence should be revised and improved.

A 2,250 mm whirlpool foundation pit is located in Donghai Island, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China. The layers of the island are composed of multi-aquifers and multi-aquitards (MAMA). The aquifers are intersected by partial aquitard lenses. A large confined aquifer is frequently interbedded and separated into several sub-confined aquifers by partial aquitards. In the 2,250 mm foundation pit, the water level of two confined aquifers was reduced to satisfy excavation requirements and prevent water inrush. Construction of the 32.55 m deep foundation pit encountered MAMA and potential defects of the diaphragm wall. The pumping wells in the second confined aquifer were used to reduce the water level to ensure the safety of bottom excavation. The pumping wells in the first confined aquifer were used to reduce the water level under emergency conditions to prevent potential water inrush and piping from the defects of the diaphragm wall. Field pumping tests and numerical simulations were performed to determine the risk of leakage and verify the capability of the pumping wells to reduce the water level. Quicksand occurred during shallow excavation because of leakage although the confined aquifer had been cut off and pumped for a long time. Three pumping wells were installed to reduce the water level. When the foundation pit was excavated to a depth of 24 m, water inrush occurred at the middle of the pit bottom although the water level of the dewatered aquifer had been reduced to below the excavation face. A 90 m deep borehole was found where the underlying confined aquifer below the first aquifer induced the water inrush. Although the upper water level was reduced, the high water level in the deep part still induced water inrush. The pumping wells in the second aquifer were all opened, and the water level of the underlying confined aquifer was reduced. After the water level was reduced to below the pit bottom, the borehole was filled, and the water inrush stopped. However, water inrush occurred on the cracks of the diaphragm wall as predicted. The pre-installed pumping wells were opened to control the water inrush. The deepest foundation pit on the island was constructed successfully after dealing with the water inrush and leakages.

Verticine is the major bioactive constituent of Fritillaria as a kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Pharmacological researches have reported various benefits of verticine, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, protecting against acute lung injury, tracheobronchial relaxation, antitussive, expectorant, sedative, and analgesic activities, in addition to inhibiting proliferation of cultured orbital fibroblast, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and inhibiting hERG potassium channels. The underlying mechanisms of verticine are still under investigation. This review will comprehensively summarize the metabolism, biological activities, and possible mechanism of verticine.